Adrian Segečić has been touted to reach football’s pinnacle as he prepares to build on his breakout season in English football.

And Pompey’s in-demand attacking star has been backed to thrive in the No10 position in the Championship next season, if deployed there for John Mousinho’s men.

Segečić is out to build on an impressive maiden campaign at Fratton Park, which saw him finish as his side’s top scorer.

An explosive end to the season saw the 22-year-old return eight goal contributions from the final six games, including his maiden hat-trick in the second tier at Stoke City.

Those efforts have seen Segečić come to the attention of sides across the continent, with teams in England’s top two tiers also tracking the versatile attacker.

The man who’s switched allegiances from Australia to Croatia has made it clear he’s perfectly happy at Fratton Park, however, with the EFL campaign beginning in the Carabao Cup at West Ham United next week.

Matthews has grown up with Segečić and seen his development from a young age, as they came through the ranks together at Sydney FC.

The defender has no doubt the ‘special’ talent is destined for the game’s pinnacle, as he bids to continue his impressive progress.

Matthews said: ‘Oh mate, he’s a special player.

‘He’s one of those players who can make something out of nothing, given half the chance and find the back of the net.

‘That’s the kind of player he is - and that’s the kind of player he’s always been.

‘He’s been like that since the age of 11 or 12 years’ old, I’ve no doubt he can go on to some very big things.

‘I don’t have a ceiling on what he can achieve, there’s no doubt in my mind that he can go all the way to the top.’

Pompey are expected to lean on Segečić’s talent next term, especially in the season’s immediacy with his side light in attacking areas.

The former Dordrecht man is being touted to operate in the No10 position next term, a position the player has made it clear he feels he can be effective in.

Matthews feels Segečić has shown he can cause problems in that role.

He added: ‘Oh he definitely flourishes in the number 10 position, he’ll do that here - I know how effective he can be there.

‘But when he’s on the right he can also roll inside and has that bit of freedom to get between the lines. That’s where he is also able to get a lot of joy. He can be a threat right across the front line.’